Gas-retort-charging apparatus.



H. A. CARPENTER 81 A. W. WARNER.

GAS RETORT CHARGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED on. 29. 1914.

Patented Apr. 2,1918.

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HENRY A. CARPENTER AND ARTHUR W. WARNER, OF SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORS TO RITER-CONLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENN- v SYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY. v

GAS-RETOBT-CI-IARGIN G APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY A. CARPEN- TER and ARTHUR W. WARNER, citizens of the United States, residing at Sewickley, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsyl- Vania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Retort-Charging Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in gas generating apparatus and more particularly to the operations incident to the charging of the retorts of the gas bench.

To supply the demand placed upon gas plants of the present day, the plants are generally of large capacity, the retort house having a large number of retorts each of which is charged at predetermined intervals, necessitating the use of charging and discharging machines of large size, especially in View of the number of retorts in vertical series as well as the length of the retorts themselves.

Various types of charging machines are employed, these operating on different general principles. For instance, one type provides a charge by forcing the coal into the retort by means of a blast; another type physically deposits the coal within the retort either by a traveling mechanism which carries the coal into the retort or by what is known as the scoop type in which the scoop mechanism receives acharge exteriorly of the retort, introduces the scoops bodily withi in the retort and then discharges the charge from the scoops while the latter are in position within the retort, the scoops being withdrawn after the charge has been discharged. This latter type is disclosed in various companion applications and patents.

While these various types of apparatus aim to produce the same result, it is necessary in connection with all of them, that the retort lids or doors be opened prior to placing the charge in position and closed after the retort has been charged. Heretofore, it has been the practice to employ one or more operators for this lid opening and closing operation, these operators being independent of the machine operator, thus entailing the expense of a number of operators in the retort house for controlling the operations on the charger floor. This not only increases the cost of gas manufacture, but also tends V Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2, 191 8.

Application filed October 29. 1914. Serial No. 869,232.

to affect the ability to provide charging operations of substantially uniform length; the inability of a pluralityof operators to provide the rapid and uniform sequential operations which the single operator is able to provide prevents such uniformity as well as any material reduction in the length of the time the retort is retained open.

This latter condition may be largely overcome by employing a single operator to manipulate the machine and to open and close the retort doors or lids,but heretofore, this result could not be accomplished because of several factors which would prevent locating the operator at the proper point'to do all of this work within a minimum amount of time.

It is necessary to aline the charging mechanism with the retort to be charged, but owing to the weight of the charging machine,

itwill be understood that the travel movements may cause difiiculty, especially if the operator is careless, and since the distance from the center line of the charging mechanism to the side of the machine is considerable, carelessness in bringing the machine to the proper position may result in damaging the equipment, even though auxiliary means be employed for aiding the operator in this respect.

As a result of these difliculties, it has been the practice heretofore to station the machine operator at a point removed from the charging end of the machine. For "instance, in machines of companion applications of 1 the scoop mechanism type, the operator is As the alinement referred to is by sight ing lengthwise of the scoop structure, it will be understood that the various controls necessary to manipulate the various power.

mechanisms for providing the adjustments are correspondingly located at the end of to open and close the retort doors or lids, he would be required to travel from one end to the other of the machine a number of times, thus involving a considerable loss of time during which the retort itself would be open, thus causing a material loss in the total capacity of the retort through placing it out of service temporarily during a charging operation occupying an excessive length of time, this loss being so great as to make it less expensive to employ additional operators to take care of the lid opening and closing operations separately.

By reason of the inventions disclosed in companion applications, it has been found possible to provide this alining operation without the necessity of sighting, this being accomplished by the use of what we term a safety line-up, by means of which the machine operator is able to properly aline the scoop structure opposite the open retort by means of certain electrical circuits in which are located signal lights which indicate the position of the center line of the scoop structure with respect to any individual retort, the signals being'positioned on the machine so that it is necessary only for the operator to cause the machine to move (longitudinally of the retort house) in accordance with the signals which are flashed and which enable him to properly position the scoop structure. This arrangement eliminates any necessity for sighting, and, consequently, the position of the operator is not restricted as in the case heretofore referred to. As a result, the station of the operator may be shifted from a platform on the scoop carriage opposite the charging end to a point on the carriage at the charging end of the machine, although out of a position directly in front of the retort. This places the operator at a point where he is able, as the machine travels toward the retort, to provide the necessary preliminary operations, such as cracking the lid, etc., and opening it, and at the same time be so close to the control devices as to lose no time in reaching them.

This location not only permits the operator to attend to the machine operations as well as the opening and closing of the lids, but in addition places him in a position where-he may closely inspect the open mouthpieces so as to facilitate adjustment in pressures (referred to in other applications), by means of which he is able to reduce liability of damage to equipment, etc.

In other words, the general. idea of the invention is to provide an operator station on the machine so located as to provide for maximum efficiency of operation with a minimum number of operators, the preferred arrangement necessitating the use of but a trols and appurtenances being formed and Figure 1 is a view somewhat diagrammatic in character of the top of a portionof a charging machine shown in position opposite an open retort; and,

- Fig. 2 is a' view, also somewhat diagrammatic, of the parts of Fig. 1, the charging machine being shown in elevation and some of the retort being shown in section.

In the drawing, 10 designates a buck-stay or, as preferred, a' standpipe extending between adjacent vertical rows of retort mouthpieces of a gas bench. As shown, the mouth-- pieces, indicated at 11, are connected to the stand-pipe, with each mouth-piece having a lid 12 provided with a suitable locking means such as a lever and latch mechanism, indicated diagrammatically in the drawings, and more particularly disclosed in the patent of H. A. Carpenter, No. 1,149,026, August 3',

1915, this being a preferred structure and one which is in extensive use.

As will be understood, the retorts shown are but a part of stack of benches, the drawting the lid to open slightly to provide what is known as the cracking operation, after which the lid is swung on its axis to an open position.

In Fig. 2,we have shown in conventional outline a. charging and discharging ma chine 15, the frame of which is mounted on wheels 16 adapted to travel on track 17, this travel action being provided by a motor 18 operatively connected to the wheels and forming what is termed the travel motor; the movements of this. motor are controlled by means of a control mechanism 19.

This motor, similar to the other motors presently referred to, is generally of the reversible type and in actual practice is operated from a three phase electrical line, the current being received through trolleys 20 carried by the frame of the machine. This particular type of motor enables the use of solenoidpperated make and break devices for the motor circuits, and inFig. 2 of the drawings, these circuits for the motor 18 and its control 19 are indicated as follows:

The supply leads are indicated at A, B and C with which the trolleys 20 are adapted to contact. As shown, lead A is connected direct to the motor through line a; leads B and C are connected to the motor through lead lines I) and 0 by means of a switch, actuated by a solenoid 21, this solenoid actuated switch being of a type which will reverse the connections of lead lines 6 and c with the motor at the will of the operator, this reversal providing for the change in direction of rotation of the motor. The solenoid device 21 is connected to the control 19 through lead lines 21 and 21', the arrangements being such that when the handle 19 of the control mechanism is moved in one direction, a circuit will be completed from line B to line C through one of the solenoid elements, acting to energize one of the solenoids and set the switch in the desired direction, it being understood that movement of the handle in the opposite direction energizes the other solenoid to reverse the switch. This motor 18 provides for moving the charging machine to and fro in front of the stack of retorts.

As modern practice tends to provide an increase in the number of retorts in order to produce the necessary capacity of the rality of retorts in vertical alinement, late developments (of which the present application is one of the features) showing the possibility of installing as many as eight retorts in a vertical row, this being known as the eight-high installation, and provide for the necessary vertical adjustment of the charger or scoop structure. To provide this adjustment, there is employed a motor 22 adapted to operate a series of vertically extending screws 23 on which frame 24 is mounted, said frame carrying the charging mechanism and the various cooperating parts which pertain thereto, this motor 22 being operated by the control mechanism 26 which, like the control mechanism heretofore referred to, acts to control the movements of the motor 22 through the energizing of a solenoid element by manipulation of the control mechanism, this manipulation serving to rotate the mo tor in one direction or the other at will to raise or lower the frame 2 1- and thus place the charging mechanism or scoop structure in alinement with the desired horizontal row ofretorts. Obviously, the range of movement is considerable where the stack is, for instance, of the eight-high-type, and, consequently, the necessity of being able to provide for careful adjustment of the frame 24 will be obvious. v

The scoop structure, indicated generally at 30, in Fig. 1, is mounted on a carriage trol mechanism 33, the general solenoid adapted to be moved in" the direction of scoop length by means of the threaded rod 31 driven by a motor 32, the latter having its movements controlled by means of a confeatures heretofore referred to being employed in connection with the circuit for this motor. 7

The specific structures and arrangements of the wiring of these motors and their controls is not more fully described, as they provide simply an incidental feature of the present invention which pertains more to'the particular positions on the charging machine of these control mechanisms. 1

As heretofore referred to, in the patent to Carpenter and Hibbard, No. 1,14A,165, June 22, 1915, wherein these several con-' trols are disclosedythey are shown as located on an operating platform carried by the frame work which supports the scoop mechanism, the location, however, being on the end of this carriage opposite the charging end of the scoops, and thus in practical alinement with the direction of length of the scoops themselves, thus being on the opposite side of the machine .from the point where it is possible to open the lids. This particular location is essential by reason of the fact that the extremelylarge size of the machine requires that the travel movements of the machine as an entirety must be by means of the travel motor, and as it is necessary that the scoop structure be rather accurately positioned in front of the retort opening, thevoperator was required to be in such position where he would be able to provide this proper alinement, and this was best obtained by employing the long scoop structure itself as a visual guide in determining the travel movements.

As heretofore pointed out, .by means of what we term a safety line-up structure, a simple form of which is disclosed in the application of Carpenter, Hibbard and Warner, filed December 2, 191 1 Serial Number 875,208 (patented Feb. 15, 1916, No. 1,171,114), and more particularly the use of an improved construction forming the subject matter of a companion application filed Dec. 19, 1914, Serial Number 878,106 (indicated somewhat diagrammatically in the drawings of this application), this necessity for visual alining is entirely eliminated, the arrangement being such that as the charging machine approaches a retort, mechanism (indicated generally at 35) will be brought into operation which will indicate on the proper one of either of three lamps 3 1, what adjustment, if any,-is' necessary in order to properly, aline the scoop structure. These lamps are preferably of different color, one indicating the proper alinement, another indicating that the scoop structure is too far to one side of thecenter line of center-line. The specific disclosures of this safety line-up are set forth in the said compamon applications referred to, and for the present application, it is suflicient to state that these lamps are located sufliciently close to the operators station to enable him to simply manipulate the travel control 19 in the proper direction, until the proper lamp has been lighted and continues to signal safety whereupon, the succeeding operations may take place.

In view of the elimination of the necessity for the visual alining of the scoopstructure with the retort, we are able to locate the station for the operator at one side of the frame work 24, as shown, for instance, in the drawings, in which d0 indicates the operators platform running partially around. the machine and being carried by the frame work 24, this platform continuing around to and along the charging end of the machine.

As a result, the operator, knowing the particular retort which he is to charge, is able to bring his machine to a position where his scoop structure will be properly alined with the retort when it is open, the safety line-up enabling this action to take place while the operator is at his station.

The manner in which this complete operation is had is approximately as follows, it being understood that a standard charging machine is approximately sixteen feet in width, the scoop structure being substantially mid-way of this width.

The operator brings the machine, through the action of the travel motor, to a point where the lid to be opened is substantially opposite his station, thus carrying the scoop structure out of its alining position. In this position, the operator performs all of the preliminary work required in opening the lid, and when these preliminary operations are completed and the lid opened as shown at the top in Fig. 1, he manipulates his travel control to move the charging machine in a direction to bring the scoop structure into alinement with the open retort. As the machine approaches the proper position,the safety line-up is brought into operation and the travel is manipulated until the proper signal is being given, whereupon the carriage control 33 is manipulated to begin the charging-operations. After these charging operations are completed, the operator simply moves the machine back until he is opposite the lid and then performs such operations as arenecessary in the proper closing of the retort lid. As'willbe understood, the entire operation may be, by reason of this particular location of the operators station, performed by a single operator whose duties simply require histra-velteenage;

ing backward and forward in front; of the retorts and manipulate the charging side of the retort house in a simple andeflicient manner. I

The duties of the operator herein "pointed out are but a portion of those'which he is called upon to perform, this particular application being but one of a series which provides for various safety and interlocking controls which'enable the'enti're' seriesof operations necessary to be performed without liability of error and with :a minimum amount of time loss. Only so much of these various devices are included in the disclosure of this application as will bring out the particular feature which forms the subject matter of the present invention.

\Ve do not claim herein the specific structure of parts, as these structures form the subject matter of companion applications, the present invention pertaining more particularly to the location of the operators station on the charging machine.

lVhile we prefer to employ a safety line up feature such for instance'as disclosed herein, this structure is not absolutely essential. lVhere a safety line-up structure of this type is employed, it acts to control the time when the charging operation may take place, the circuit for the charging mechanism being primarily completed through the safety line-up mechanism. However, the particular structure of the safety line up mechanism is not set forth in detail herein, as the specific features of that mechanism itself form the subject matter of the companion application referred to. By its use, carelessness on the part of the operator would be ineffective to damage the equipment as the operator would be unable to manipulate the charging mechanism until the proper alinement of the charger with the retorts is had.

Where other indicating mechanism is employed, such for instance, as the use of an indicating mark or other means on the stack of retorts, by whichthe operator is able to properly adjust the position of the machine, a careful operator will be able to properly aline the machine after the retort has been opened, through the use of such marks or other means, the position of the controls being close to the charging end of the machine so that the operator will be in a favorable. position to provide this alining action under such conditions.

'lVhat we claim is 1. The combination withcoal gas generat ing retorts, and lids for the retorts adapted to be opened and closed, of'a portable charging machine spaced from and adapted to travel in front of the retorts and having means for introducing charges of coal into the retorts, manually operated controllers for directing the movements of. said mar chine, and an operating platform mounted on the portion of the machine facing the retorts and projecting toward the latter to afford the operator located on said platform access to the retort lids for opening and closing the same, said controllers also being accessible to the operator on said platform.

2. The combination With coal gas generating retorts and lids for the retorts adapted to be opened and closed, of a portable charging machine spaced from and adapted to travel in front of the retorts and having means for introducing charges of coal into the retorts, an operating platform mounted on the portion of the machine facing the retorts and projecting toward the latter to afford the operator on the platform access to the retort lids for opening and closing the same, and controllers also accessible to the operator on said platform for directing the travel of the charging machine.

8. The combination With coal gas generating retorts, and lids for the retorts adapted to be opened and closed, of a portable charging machine adapted to travel in front of the retorts and having means for introducing charges of coal into the retorts, an operating platform mounted on the charging machine in position to afford the operator on said platform access therefrom to the retort lids for opening and closing the same, and controllers also accessible to the operator on said platform for directing the travel of the charging machine.

4. The combination With coal gas generating retorts arranged at difierent elevations, and lids for the retorts adapted to be opened and closed, of a vertically adjustable portable charging machine adapted to travel horizontally in front of the retorts and hav ing means for introducing charges of coal into the retorts, an operating platform mounted on and adjustable vertically with the charging machine, the platform being in position to afford the operator located thereon access therefrom to the retorts being operated upon for opening and closing the lids of such retorts from said machine, and controllers adjustable vertically With and accessible to the said operator on said platform for directing the travel of the charging machine.

In testimony whereof We afiiX our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY A. CARPENTER. ARTHUR W. WARNER.

Witnesses! ADA M. STEELE, M. J. STEELE.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

